Are you sick of my lists? Good because I am not sick of writing them.
1. Austin Daye/Gonzaga-
Daye had his fair share of goods and bads his freshman season. One game, he played eight minutes against Memphis, and the only reason he showed in the box score was because he committed four personal fouls.
But in his next game, albeit against a markedly worse Portland team, he exploded for 19 points and 13 rebounds.
Gonzaga stole Daye away from the California schools when he was rated a five-star prospect by Rivals.com. At 6-foot-10 and 190 pounds, he oozed potential and talent, but he was still filling into his body.
The same problem existed at Gonzaga.
He was left sometimes without anyone to guard. His defense made a slow progression throughout the season, but his body type made him a slow defender.
Now, apparently, he has begun a weight program in the hopes of putting on 10 pounds of muscle before next season. If that happens, the West Coast Conference better look out because he will be unstoppable.
Last season, he was the Bulldogs third leading scorer at 10.5 points per game, and he chipped in with 4.7 rebounds as well. But the kicker? He did all of this scoring all while averaging 18.5 minutes per game.
That means he is averaging 22.1 points per game per 40 minutes. That shows he has some serious potential.
Daye is a special talent. He is as fluid a big man as there is in college basketball, capable of handling the ball at the top of the key and also a strong passer. He has the ability to utilize his size and skill set to create his own shot.
In addition, last season he shot 41 percent from three-point range, and so his range should remain the same despite the line being moved back.
If he adds the muscle, he will add a post-up game that will just further his already burgeoning arsenal. If Jeremy Pargo stays in the draft, he will be counted on for more minutes and more scoring responsibilities.
Something he is well equipped to handle.
2. Stanley Robinson/UCONN-
Some people say this rising junior doesn't need to break out, he has already arrived. But after watching the potential he exhibited in some of his games last season, he could be on his way to a monster season in 2008-2009.
Robinson showed flashes of brilliance in his first two seasons with the Huskies, but he is better remembered for his athletic and ferocious dunks instead of his all-around play.
This season, if continues to make better decisions, he should be a force for the loaded UCONN team.
Much like Daye, Robinson had his fair share of goods and bads. He scored 32 points and had 11 rebounds against Maine, only to follow that up less than a month later with a four point and five turnover clunker in a loss to Providence.
But it is clear he has all the tools.
At 6-foot-9 and 200 pounds, Robinson might be one of the most athletic players in college basketball. He has always been UCONN's best perimeter defender because of his incredible versatility.
He can post-up one play and fill the lane like a freight train the next. His combination of strength, speed, touch, and footwork is unmatched in D-1.
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